Now, Wallace is ripping what he considers is a misperception in Pittsburgh — that Wallace, one of the game's most dangerous deep threats — only cared about the money when he landed a five-year, $60-million deal with the Miami Dolphins.

The contract for the former Steelers speedster includes $30 million guaranteed and surpassed the five-year deals for Dwayne Bowe of the Kansas City Chiefs ($56 million) and Greg Jennings of the Minnesota Vikings ($45 million). Wallace received five times more than the Denver Broncos gave Wes Welker in a two-year deal.

"In free agency, with so many great guys, when you get the prize deal, it's always a good feeling,'' Wallace told USA TODAY Sports after Wednesday's minicamp practice. "I just wanted to be happy. Money isn't everything. A lot of people last year, when I held out in Pittsburgh, took it the wrong way, felt like I was just being greedy."

Thing is, Wallace turned down a $76 million offer dangled by the Minnesota Vikings, his father, Mike Wallace III, told USA TODAY Sports. The Vikings later signed Jennings, the former Green Bay Packers star.

"I know this: He's going to give Miami their money's worth,'' Wallace's father said. "Dolphins fans are going to love him. He worked hard and deserved everything he got. So don't call him selfish.''

The younger Wallace said he chose the up-and-coming Dolphins for the chance to win a Super Bowl ring sooner.

"I performed so well for so long, I just wanted to be well compensated," he said. "I feel I got a bad rep. Free agency paid off for me. But it was bittersweet. The money is not all I'm in it for. I want to be a great player — win Super Bowls, go to Pro Bowls continuously.''

Wallace, 26, seems far from selfish, given how he shared his newfound wealth with his family. He bought his mom, Sanjia, a new home in Houston, and his dad received a new Cadillac SUV. His three sisters received new cars. And older brother, Reggie, who nicknamed little Mike "Rock'' as a young toddler because he never cried when he fell, gets Mike's Range Rover.

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Mike Wallace said Reggie Wallace, 37, will be released from Louisiana state prison this week after serving a five-year sentence for selling drugs in the West Bank section of New Orleans that Mike Wallace overcame.

"I haven't seen Reggie in a while, and he's coming home at the right time. He's really changed, ready to do positive things,'' Wallace said. "Everything is going really well right now.''

What did Wallace splurge on? A new home near the club's facility for himself, girlfriend Vanessa and 3-year-old daughter, Malihh.

"Mike is all about family,'' said his father, who owns a New Orleans air conditioning business. "We're looking forward to watching all his games this season.''

General manager Jeff Ireland and coach Joe Philbin were willing to dig deep to rediscover the deep threat the franchise has lacked since the Marks Brothers — Duper and Clayton -- ended their Dolphins careers in 1992.

"I don't want to be Mark Duper and those guys,'' Wallace said. "I want to be a great player for the 2013 Dolphins.''

Chemistry is still coming, as quarterback Ryan Tannehill proved on an end-zone pass for Wallace that was intercepted by cornerback Brent Grimes in practice. Wallace immediately ran to Tannehill to correct the "miscommunication'' on the spot.

"Hines Ward and Ben (Roethlisberger) were my big brothers,'' Wallace said. "I've always been the young guy. And now I'm older than Ryan. I'm embracing the leadership role here. We'll be fine. We've got a lot of big plays to make.''